Pope Francis’ Encyclical

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRIL 05: (EDITORS NOTE: This images was processed using digital filters) Pope Francis waves to the faithful as he delivers his 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing message from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica at the end of the Easter Mass on April 5, 2015 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Franco Origlia

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Pope Francis’ Encyclical

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRIL 05: (EDITORS NOTE: This images was processed using digital filters) Pope Francis waves to the faithful as he delivers his 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing message from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica at the end of the Easter Mass on April 5, 2015 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Franco Origlia

Cool Pope has spoken, and it is good. In a 42,000 word encyclical, the pontiff laid out the strongest moral argument yet for curbing greenhouse gas emissions. His take on the ways fossil fuels have hurt the poor is at times withering, at others inspiring. But mostly, it is exciting to see the West's moral center take an unequivocal stand on what is without a doubt the biggest collective challenge humanity has ever faced.